Magneto-generator



(No Model.)

' T. W. LANE.

. MAGNB'I'O GENERATOR. No. 259,644. Patented June 13, 1882.

Inv 071230 7'.

74 561 000 \r as.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

THOMAS W. LANE, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES WILLIAMS, JR, OFSOHERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

MAGNETO-GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,644, dated June 13,1882.

Application filed February 28, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. LANE, of Boston, in the county of Sufiolkand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements inMagneto-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to magneto-generators used fortelegraphic and telephonic purposes, in which currents are generated bya rotating armature.

The object ofthe invention is to enable the operator, while rotating thearmature of the generator, to put the generator in circuit by an endwisemovement in one direction of the handie of the armature-crank, and toput the generator out of circuit by an eudwise movement of said handlein the opposite direction.

To this end my invention consists in the improvement which .I will nowproceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a magneto-generator providedwith my improvement. Fig. 2 represents a front view of the same with thecover removed, the parts relating to my improvement being represented insection. Fig. 3 represents the sectional portion shown in Fig. 2 withthe handle of the crank in a different 0 position.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

In the drawings, A represents the casing of the generator.

B B represent the horseshoe-magnets, and 0 represents the arbor ot therotary Siemens armature between the poles of the magnets. The arbor isprovided with a friction-pulley, D, engaging with a groovedfriction-wheel, E, 40 affixed to a crankshaft, F, which is journaled ina metallic sleeve, G, attached to the outside of the casin g.

H represents an annular metallic plate attached to the outer side of thecasing. Said 5 plate is concentric with the shaft F, and forms a bearingor contact for a metallic bolt or pin, I, which constitutes the handleof the crank metallic J. Said pin is movable lengthwise in the crank, sothat its inner end can bear against the annular plate H, as shown inFig.

2, or be separated from said plate, as shown in Fig. 3.

I prefer to provide a spring, K, to hold the pin I with a yieldingpressure against the plate H. The pin I and crank J form a metallicconnection between the plate H and sleeve G when the pin I isin contactwith said plate; but when the pin is drawn outwardly there is nometallic connection between the plate and sleeve. It will be seen,therefore, that by suitably connecting said plate and sleeve with thegenerator and with the line the generator will be put out of circuitwhen the pin I is in contact with the plate H and put in circuit whenthe pin is separated from the plate.

The electrical connections may be variously modified in arrangement. Inthe present instance I have shown the sleeve G connected by wire 2through the signal-bell M (shown in diagram in Fig. 2) with theline-wire L, and by wire3with a spring,N,which bears against one end ofthe insulated pin 0 ofthe armaturearbor O. The annular plate H isconnected by wire 4 with a metallic portion of the frame of thegenerator, and the other line-wire,L, is also connected with themetallic frame of the generator at a point near the connection of thewire 4. When the pin I is in contact with the plate H, as shown in Fig.2, a magnetic current over line-wire L will pass through the metallicsurfaces of the generator-wire 4, plate H, pin 1, crank J, collar G, andwire 2 through the signal-bell to line-wire L, thus avoiding theresistance occasioned by the armature-coil, the generator being out ofcircuit. 8 The pulley D is of insulating material, so that the currentwill not pass from the collar G through the metallic frame of thegenerator. When it is desired to use the generator to transmit a currentto the line the operator turns the crank J and at the same time movesthe handle outwardly, thus breaking the connection between the plate Hand sleeve G, and connecting the line-wires L and L through the armatureof the generator and the wires 3 2, thus enabling magneto-currents to besent into the line.

It will be seen that the devices constituting myimprovement are verysimple, and although not automatic in their operation, yet they enamoble the generator to be put into and out of circuit with but' littleeffort of the operator beyond the usual labor of rotation of'the'crank.

In a pending application which I filed May 8th,1881, I have claimed anarmature combined with means to rotate it and at the same time put thegenerator in circuit, the said generator being automatically cut out ofcircuit thereby at the cessation of rotation of said armature. I do nottherefore claim any such automatic action in this application.

It will be seen that the simple rotation of the crank will have noeffect in putting the generator into and out of circuit, an independentendwise movement of the crank-handle being required to effect either ofsaid operations.

I am aware that in Letters Patent N 0 252,797 a magneto-generator isdescribed, in which the armature is rotated by a crank arm or handleconstructed to be rocked or vibrated by the force exerted on its wristpin or handle, provided with a spring contact-finger normally restingagainst a disk surrounding the shaft to which the crank is attached.When said crankis turned the pressure exerted upon it necessarily rocksthe crank-handle, and thus separates the contact-finger from the diskand breaks the short circuit around the machine. Hence the generatorcannot be operated without breaking the short circuit. My improvedcrank, on the otherhand, bein gri gid] yattached to its shaft andprovided with the handle I, which is adapted to be moved longitudinallytoward and from the plate H, but not to be moved or rocked laterally, isadapted to be rotated without disconnecting the pin or handle 'theconnections are perfect the bell will remain silent. It will be seen,therefore, that my 4 5 crank is adapted to perform a function whichcannot be performed by one which is necessarily rocked so as to breakthe short circuit when the crank is rotated. My construction is alsomore simple and durable, and is less expensive than that shown in thepatent above referred to.

I claim I In a magnetogenerator, the combination, with the annular plateH, metallic collar G, and electrical connections, as described, of thearmature-rotating crank rigidly attached to its shaft, and provided withthe pin or handle I, adapted to move longitudinally, but incapable oflateral or rocking motion, whereby the generator is enabled to beoperated either while the pin I is separated from the plate H or incontact therewith, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of February,

THOMAS W. LANE. Witnesses:

G. F. BROWN, A. L. WHITE.

